Money in Kyiv: how to pay by card, withdraw cash, and exchange currency

Most everyday purchases in Kyiv can be paid for by card or phone, including journeys on public transport. You don’t need to bring a large amount of cash, although it’s worth keeping some Ukrainian hryvnias on hand as a backup, particularly during power outages. Here’s how to use foreign bank cards, exchange money, and avoid unnecessary conversion fees. For more on planning your expenses, see our guide to budgeting for a trip to Kyiv.

What’s the easiest way to pay in Kyiv?

For most visitors, paying in Kyiv is straightforward. Here are a few useful tips:

• Use a Visa or Mastercard for most purchases.
• Pay with Apple Pay or Google Wallet wherever contactless payments are accepted.
• Choose UAH if a card terminal or ATM asks which currency you’d like to use.
• Keep a small amount of cash in hryvnias as a backup.
• Bring a second card, preferably from a different bank.

Card payments are widely accepted in Kyiv, so you won’t need cash for most everyday expenses. However, keeping a few hryvnias on hand can be useful for tipping in Ukraine.

What currency is used in Ukraine?

Ukraine’s official currency is the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH), represented by the symbol ₴.

Prices in shops, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies and other businesses are listed in hryvnias. You can usually pay with an international bank card, and any necessary currency conversion will be handled by your payment network and bank.

If you’re paying in cash, you’ll need hryvnias rather than euros or US dollars.

Can you use a foreign bank card in Kyiv?

Yes. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Kyiv, including in supermarkets, shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels and pharmacies.

However, fees and restrictions depend on your card issuer. Before travelling, it’s worth checking:

• Whether your card can be used in Ukraine.
• Whether your bank charges foreign transaction fees.
• How payments in UAH are converted into your account’s currency.
• What fees apply to cash withdrawals abroad.

Most visitors can pay by card without difficulty, but checking these details in advance can help you avoid unexpected charges.

Can you use Apple Pay and Google Wallet?

Yes. Apple Pay and Google Wallet work wherever contactless payments are accepted, provided your bank and card support them.

You can pay with your phone or smartwatch just as you would with a contactless bank card.

Should you pay in UAH or your home currency?

When paying by card or withdrawing cash, you may be asked to choose between Ukrainian hryvnias and your card’s currency.

In most cases, it’s better to choose UAH.

For example, if your bank account is in euros and a purchase costs 1,000 UAH, the terminal might offer two options:

• Pay 1,000 UAH.
• Pay the equivalent amount in EUR.

The second option may involve Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This means the terminal or ATM operator converts the amount using its own exchange rate, which may be less favourable than the rate offered by your bank.

If DCC is offered, you should be shown the exchange rate, the amount in both currencies and any additional charges before deciding whether to accept it.

If you choose UAH, the transaction is processed in the local currency, and any necessary conversion is handled according to your payment network’s and bank’s terms.

At ATMs, DCC may appear under labels such as “with conversion”, “in your card currency” or “guaranteed exchange rate”.

Our tip: Choose UAH when paying or withdrawing cash, and check your bank’s foreign transaction fees before your trip.

Do you need cash in Kyiv?

You can pay by card for most everyday expenses, but it’s a good idea to keep a small amount of cash in hryvnias.

Cash can be useful at smaller shops, some markets or whenever card payments are temporarily unavailable. It’s particularly handy during prolonged power outages.

You don’t need to exchange all your money before arriving. You can exchange euros, US dollars and other supported currencies at banks or licensed currency exchange offices in Kyiv.

Why do exchange rates vary?

You might notice different exchange rates on Google, the National Bank of Ukraine’s website, at banks and at currency exchange offices. This is because they serve different purposes.

• Official NBU exchange rate: The reference rate published by the National Bank of Ukraine.
• Bank or currency exchange office rate: The rate a particular provider offers when buying or selling foreign currency.
• Card payment exchange rate: The rate applied according to your payment network’s and card issuer’s terms.

This means the rate you see on Google or the NBU website may differ from the rate you actually get when exchanging cash or paying by card.

You can use the National Bank of Ukraine’s official exchange rates as a reference, but always check the actual rate and any fees before making a transaction.

Bringing a large amount of cash into Ukraine?

If you’re entering or leaving Ukraine with €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in another currency, check the customs declaration requirements before travelling.

A written declaration is generally required at this threshold, and additional supporting documents may be needed depending on your circumstances.

For the latest requirements, visit the State Customs Service of Ukraine before your trip.

Still planning your journey? Check out our guide on how to get to Kyiv in 2026 for practical travel information.